Democratic Debate Open Thread

9:51 PM: Finally, it's over. I'll be writing a reprise in a few minutes, but I will say this is the worst debate I've seen so far. George and Charlie were just rumor-mongering right wingers. Charlie thought it was "fascinating." Wrong. It was just very pathetic and disturbing. If you ever question the sad state of affairs in the American political dialogue, tonight's debate was Exhibit A.

9:34PM: Jacki now. Affirmative action's the topic. Obama: Help people who have been locked out of opportunity. Clinton: Me too. Also, let's get rid of predatory college loans. (I like that.) Gas prices now. Clinton: Investigate gas prices. (I like that too). Release oil from reserve. $4 gallon gas should spur windfall profits tax. She's saying good stuff here about energy independence. Obama: Similar plans to Clinton. Agree on windfall profits tax. Raise fuel efficiency standards on cars. Get serious about new technology too.

George: How would you use George W. Bush in your administration? (This is a strong contender for dumbest question of the night) Clinton artfully dodges. Obama goes for HW versus W. Good call. Did I mention this was a dumb question? I can think of a zillion ways Bush can be used but none of them involve being a part of any future administration.

9:33 PM Clinton was a huge advocate for gun control throughout her career. I know that to be true first-hand. Polarizing? Kinda. Obama got the question about DC's gun law as did Clinton. Both of them kept balancing their way through this issue. It's not as cut and dried as George and Charlie want to make it.

9:19 PM: Another break. Charlie Gibson got into social security. A commission. That's the typical DC answer.

9:06PM: Jacki: On economy. Clinton: No taxes. Go to my website. Why does she give the impression she's never actually been to her own website? Obama: Cost going up. Wages and income flat or going down. Lack of oversight and special interests run amok are to blame for current problems. Gibson is arguing with Obama now about the capital gains tax. We got a little into the weeds there. Clinton: Remember my husband? He rocked the 90s. (ok, not really, but that's what she was alluding to). Clinton's speaking in generalities re: the economy now, but you know what's nice? She's attacking Bush and not Obama. Thank goodness for small miracles. She just said she wouldn't raise the capital gains tax above what it was in the Clinton era. So much for subtlety.

8:55 PM: From Joe: What? An Iraq question? Of course, Charlie Gibson can't just let them answer the question from the viewer. No, Charlie has to be the bigger smartie pants.

Clinton is giving a long answer about how we don't know what will happen if we withdraw. Some might say we also didn't know what would happen going in, but she voted that way anyway.

Obama: The Commander in Chief sets the mission.

8:47 PM: Jacki now: 45 minutes and no issues. We just covered nonsense and topics the media's opted to rehash. But no healthcare plans. No plans to get us out of Iraq. No ideas on fixing the economy. Nada. It's like the great gossip debate.

Joe, too: This is the WORST DEBATE EVER. It's shockingly bad. Jacki is right: The great gossip debate. No wonder this country is such a mess.

8:41 PM: Stephanopolous doing the right wing's dirty work...again. Asking about Ayers? This is absurd. Absurd. And, Hillary piles on. She is unbelievable tonight.

Obama comes back strong, I think. This debate is ABSURD. It sounds like right wing radio. And, Obama is showing he can handle it.

8:38 PM:From Joe --Now the flag? Come on. "It's all over the internet"?? What is this tonight? It is a manufactured issue...a distraction.

8:32 PM: Jacki here: Oooo. George to Clinton: PA people don't think you're honest. Clinton: I may be a lot of things, but I am not dumb. I wrote about Bosnia in my book. You're right. I've said some things that weren't in keeping with what I said in my book. Huh? I hope it's something you can look over. Huh? How about I lied? I'm a big liar. When your kid makes stuff up, it's called lying, not "not in keeping with what I wrote once." Having experience traveling abroad gives me a huge advantage. Just don't expect me to be truthful about what happened abroad once I get back. Obama: We comment about Bosnia because we're asked about it. We're both working as hard as we can to make sure we are delivering our message as best we can. I think Sen. Clinton deserves the right to make errors. G-d is he being gracious. He's turning the corner and trying to get to issus. I love it. I fear the moderators will bring it right back around to he said/she said. But no one can say Obama didn't try.

More from Joe: Also, did Clinton just tell us she needed to get more sleep? Like somehow that's the reason she didn't tell the truth about Tuzla? She needed more sleep? On March 17th, when she was so emphatic about what happened in Tuzla, it was the middle of the day. And, if she is so sleep deprived, how can she answer those 3 a.m. calls?

8:29 PM: More on Wright? Come on. Get over this...we still haven't heard ONE question about a real issue. Stop the dumbass questions. This is RIDICULOUS. Asking if Rev. Wright loves America? STOP IT. And, Hillary's piling on is also very, very disturbing. Weird.

8:26 PM: Joe: The Bitter thing, now Rev. Wright. Don't ask the candidates about real issues. Don't ask the candidates about the things that affect real people's lives. (And, Clinton was asked a personal question by Richard Mellon Scaife.) She loves the Wright issue. Wow. C'mon, Hillary, that's pathetic.

8:22 PM: Jacki: Clinton says what's important is what we stand for. She's claiming passion for empowering people. Huh? I thought that was Obama's strength. That was just odd.

8:19 PM: From Joe: Can Obama win? Clinton: "Yes. Yes. Yes." Obama says Clinton can win, then deconstructs her recent criticism of him - reminds us that Clinton was attacked for her "staying home and baking cookies" comment back in 1992.

8:11 PM: From Joe: Okay, the first very stupid question. Come on. Asking about picking each other for V.P. After six weeks with no debate, that's the best question Charlie Gibson could offer. That's a bad signal for this debate. And, pivoting off the Constitution doesn't justify the stupid question. Obama and Clinton did well with their answers...considering.

8:04 PM: Hi all. This is Jacki. And here's my take on opening statements. Obama: As I travel PA, I see core decency and generosity yet frustration. Nice. Frustration = not quite bitter but in the same vein.

Clinton: People do feel government is not solving problems and standing up for them. Listen to what we have to say. Look at records. Look at plans. Go to my website.

And...commercial. Well, that's a momentum killer.

*commercial break*

8:00 PM: Here we go...again. What could be the last debate til the fall starts now. Jacki and I will be live-blogging. We probably won't dissect every answer to every question. But, if there are fireworks or drama, we'll definitely weigh in. And, we'll be watching for the ridiculous questions that the moderators always throw in. Always.